Free shed! How to move it?

[bartz32tt]

My neighbor (super nice guy) is selling his house. He offered to give me his shed for free, I just have to move it and it's mine! I didn't ask for it, we were just chatting about him moving and he offered it to me. I'm very fortunate - stuff like this never happens to me.

Anyways, it's a 10x12 on skids. I just want to know the easiest/safest/cheapest way to do it. I could maybe get my Powerstroke back there if I have to but would have to get permission from a different neighbor to drive through their back yard first.

I know you guys are suckers for pics so here you go:


I want to be very careful of the vinyl siding. It's only moving bout 50 ft in the direction of where I'm standing when the above picture was taken. There's a slight downward sloping grade so I'd have to be careful if I use PVC pipes as rollers underneath, if I go that route. It's staying in the same orientation; no need to turn it.

Gah, can't stop smiling! I'm buying this guy a gift card to a good restaurant after it's moved.

 

[bczygan]

If it was me, I would do it while the ground is still frozen.
PVC for rollers won't work. They will crush.
You need to get the friction down. Then you can pull it more easily.
I would use 2x4's for track and iron pipe for rollers.
Even though it is pretty heavy, properly done, you could lever it forward with a 4x4x8. Or pull it with a riding mower or the like.

 

[NWphotog]

The large pvc pipe does work. I agree the frozen ground is a good idea. I cheat and used a roll off tow truck.

 

[knuckleduster271]

I paid a towing company to move mine with a roll back when I moved to my current house.

 

[ibedayank]

rollback is how they are delivered in first place

 

[Homebody]

50' is all?
Brace the inside with 2 x 4's, lay some 2 x 6 on the ground and pull that sucker with a mower or quad.
You'll be drinking beer in less than an hour! Congrats!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

50' you could pull it with a cable pull or rope and pulleys. Lift the end of the skids and put a 2x4 across (perpendicular to the skids). It should skid along frozen ground pretty easy after you get it broke loose or you can continue to put boards across.

 

[brow_tines]

Jack it up, nail 2X4 or 4X4 to the bottom, lay down boards as "tracks" you and a buddy with maybe a 2X4 a piece for a lever and it's done. I've actually moved a 12'X6' building like that myself by just pushing it.

 

[raddksn]

I vote for PVC at least 3", 4" would be better!

 

[ynned]

Put me down on the side of come along, block & tackle, or chain fall. Break it loose with a spud bar or jack, hook on to a handy tree & start winchin'.

 

[finn]

A couple sheets of heavy plywood for a skid path coupled with 2 runners made from 2X4s with chamfered ends, toe nailed perpendicular to the floor joists (depending on the floor construction).

PVC will work too.

 

[G McKay]

I would do as these guys suggested. I would screw it to some type of wood and drag it as a sled. You could probably use your car or PU truck, too. Good luck with that.

 

[eddyyy302]

Jack it up with a floor jack, place four 4" sticks of pvc pipe under the shed, push the shed on the pipe and replace the pipes under the shed as they come out the other side. 1 person to push and one to handle the pipes is more than enough. Have moved PLENTY of sheds this way.
Dan

 

[Bigplum]

If the floor is strong , would say 4 men lift it with straps pulled underneath? Then you walk it away

 

[Alan Douglas]

It can't be any heavier than this one made of 3/4" t&g fir, and I moved this around on 4" rollers and planks myself. I used an auto bumper jack and a wooden T frame under the projecting rafters to lift one side at a time to get the rollers in and out.

Are the skids attached or does the shed simply rest on them?

 

[cburnscrx]

I moved my 8' x 12' by myself using nothing but some black pipe. I didn't roll it, I used the pipe as a lever and lifted it. I will say I was a bit sore the next day. I just "walked" it the 20 feet or so I needed to move it. Keep in mind I WAY overbuilt my shed, it's built like a house.

All of the suggestions will likely work.

 

[KANSASBOY]

 

[G_P]

While the ground is frozen roll it on pipes. It wont be hard at all to move it only 50' that way.

If you are worried about it rolling out of control, use a strap attached to a vehicle to act as a brake/anchor point.

 

[St-rider]

50' you could pull it with a cable pull or rope and pulleys. Lift the end of the skids and put a 2x4 across (perpendicular to the skids). It should skid along frozen ground pretty easy after you get it broke loose or you can continue to put boards across.

This sounds good as do the other ideas but some oil between the stationary component and the sliding component will make it easier to move.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I moved a 8' x 14' shed for a friend. The shed was built with runners under it to be moved. IIRC we jacked up one end and set it on a 4x6 under both runners then winched it onto my trailer. To get the shed over the fenders of the trailer we tossed a couple 4x6's across the sides of the trailer. Removal was the reverse of install. Then it was time to

Nick

 

[Alex in Canada]

Put some frame under it and:

 

[rockinacummins]

If it only has to move 50' I would just be very gentle and use a rope and pull that sucker. If you watch what your doing you'll know if you need to stop before you tear anything up. I'm guessing it's not extremely heavy so it should slide along just fine. We pulled my cousins old playhouse which is about that same size and about 20 years old well over a quarter mile down a gravel road and over a cattle guard on the original skids. Good luck and congrats!

 

[Steve.S]

With a friend's help, I moved a 12 x 8 shed about 100' across uneven ground using 4" PVC pipes, a steel cable and a come along. By the time we finished the PVC rollers had disintegrated. I'd recommend using Schedule 80; we used sch 40.

It helps if your shed is the type that has runners underneath instead of being stick built. Mine has two 4 x 4s running its length.

Good luck!

Edit: Another friend turned his shed 180 degrees and moved it to the other side of his yard by jacking it up and putting a wheel dolly under each corner. He covered the ground with plywood to give the dollies a smooth surface to roll across, too. Done in three hours...

 

[bartz32tt]

Edit: Another friend turned his shed 180 degrees and moved it to the other side of his yard by jacking it up and putting a wheel dolly under each corner. He covered the ground with plywood to give the dollies a smooth surface to roll across, too. Done in three hours...

Hell yea - great idea! I have 4 wheel dollies that I think would work perfectly for this if I can find some scrap plywood for cheap enough..maybe 4 sheets would do and I can replace the back sheet(s) to the front as it rolls forward.

I'll have to check out how it's attached to the skids before deciding. If it's attached, I may just drag it with my truck as rockinacummins and others suggested, but I'm trying to minimize tearing up his yard as much as possible . Still waiting for him to clear out his belongings from inside of it before he gives me the green light, but I'm stoked! Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

 

[mbatarga]

This guy can move anything!

 

[JamieK]

Park the truck in your backyard and use it as an anchor point for a come-along, electric winch, or a rope and pulley. If its already on skids, and with frozen ground, it will move easily. Might take a bit to get it started if its sunk into the ground any. If the skids aren't angled on the ends, attach some scrap plywod to them so they won't dig in.

 

[bczygan]